Baila Room

Today I had the chance to speak to an amazing individual.  Someone who will, by his strength of character, inspire you to become a more grateful and positive person.Even thought we touched a very difficult subject in this podcast I think ultimately this conversation will inspire and uplift you. 

Today I had the chance to speak to Nataša Pevićević an amazing choreographer and teacher from Croatia.She completed a university degree to become an english teacher and then stopped everything to follow her life long dream to become a dancer.It was a very uplifting and inspiring conversation that i'm happy to share with you guys;)

Rania Greiche is a choreographer, dancer, teacher and a very well established promoteur in the Montreal Salsa scene. On top of that she runs an event planning company that specializes  in weddings.  She’s a multi-talented business woman with a very positive mindset.

Ortos J. Gutiérrez Ortiz, better known as Tito Ortos, was born in Santurce on December 26, 1974. After finishing a Bachelor's Degree in Natural Science from the University of Puerto Rico and studying music, vocals, bass and clarinet, Tito started his career as a Salsa Dancer by his parent's initiative, both musicians. Also he develops as a dancer of other genres such as: Jazz, Merengue, "Bomba y Plena", Rumba, Modern Dance and Tap among others. Since then, he has visited more than 100 cities worldwide giving performances and classes, with his wife and dance partner Tamara Livolsi. They both participate yearly in congresses around the world and work as judges for the Salsa Open and for the World Salsa Championships. Produce the Puerto Rico Hustle and Salsa Festival and they are part of the organization of the Puerto Rico Salsa Congress.

Today I had the chance to speak with one of the best salsa dancers in the world. Born in Veracruz, Mexico, he is an accomplished dancer, choreographer, has a talent for singing, has contagious energy and a broad knowledge of the history of Mambo / Salsa.  Let me just say that if I could choose only one person to represent what Salsa means to me I would pick him every single time… without further due I bring you Rodrigo Cortazar.

Cadleen Désir est PDG et fondatrice de Déclic, un réseau de professionnels au service des enfants à besoins particuliers du Grand Montréal, et présidente du Groupement des chefs d’entreprises du Québec.Impliquée dans la gouvernance de plusieurs organisations, elle y insuffle sa vision d’un leadership humain et inclusif, nourri par l’intelligence collective, la diversité et la participation des femmes.Elle siège notamment au conseil d’administration de Femmessor, au comité-conseil en développement économique du gouvernement du Québec et auprès de diverses organisations en éducation.Médaillée de l’Assemblée nationale en 2011, Cadleen Désir soutient l’entreprenariat des femmes et des jeunes au Bénin. Le journal Les Affaires lui a récemment consacré sa première page.

J’ai eu la chance de parler avec une très grande artiste. Je dis très grande sans exagérer, car, vous allez vous en rendre compte durant la conversation, que ça démarche artistique est très claire et surtout puissante. Elle est la lauréate du Grand Prix de la Danse de la Ville de Montréal. Et ici Je cite le jury qui l’a selectionner « Cette artiste aux multiples facettes, communicatrice avisée, activiste et performeuse d’une grande puissance, creuse en elle au-delà de l’évidence avec persévérance et conviction » Sans plus tarder voici Rhodnie Désir.

If there's one thing positive about this Covid situation is that I got even closer to my son ;)

Elle a étudié en architecture en France puis arrivée à Montréal elle consacre les 20 dernières années à maitriser et surtout enseigner la Salsa... De la Bachata au Fox Trot en passant par le Ballet, le Baladi et le Rock'n'Roll, On dit d'elle qu'elle savait danser avant de savoir marcher. 

Today I got the chance to chat with a very special business woman. She studied dance all her young life in China, came to Montreal Canada completed an MBA and created a multi-studio concept called Espace Des Arts that became a Mecca for many dance styles and dancers.   I started this conversation with no expectations  and I discovered a smart, thoughtful, extremely motivated and powerful woman. Without further due I bring you Dominique Wang

My name is Ilias and I have owned a Latin dance school in Laval for 16 years now (another one in the West Island and Ile-Perrot ). We manage to operate with restrictions, at 20% of our pre-Covid sales. For the moment, I have no salary and my business is struggling to survive because of the measures put in place. I am now afraid of losing my well-established business for which I have given everything; and I am writing this to express my despair that it is slowly dying. By closing us down  you are putting the nail in the coffin at my session and I have to reimburse all of my clients, who despite their desire to dance are more afraid than ever. And they won't come back until they are reassured by the same people who scared them, so I guess not anytime soon.

An experienced dancer, tango teacher, performer and dj.  We made a deep dive in the Tango world… So much to learn about that world… especially how to  ask someone to dance only by using this Tango eye technique: The Cabaceo ;)  Please welcome Carol Horowitz.

1. Intense Dance Training in Cuba2. Striking a balance between communism and capitalism3. No one from the outside should criticize the ways of a nation4. Cuba USA rocky relationship5. Don't come to my house and tell me what to do6. Her Amazing Cuban Immersion 7. A bit of Cuban Embargo History 8. Covid in Cuba 9. Afro Something 

Some Covid Thoughts

1. Comment elle a réglé ses douleurs chroniques2. Comment apaiser l'autocritique et développer de la bienveillance envers soi3. La méditation en mouvement4. Les défis du "marketing" de son approche : La Danse Pleine Conscience 5. L'importance de la respiration en danse 

How he got in the Salsa WorldCoaching techniques and approachHis experience in the Philippines with his husbandDealing with hard family issues

Today I had a chance to talk to one of the best jazz-blues guitarist in Canada. He holds a Jazz Performance degree from McGill University and has accompanied many renown artists. In this podcast You’ll learn about what it takes to be a full time professional musician! 

In this podcast I go down memory lane with an accomplished musician and teacher. My next guest and I have something in common: We both love playing guitar and we both spent time working in Taiwan. He recently came back from Taiwan so I was eager to talk to him about his journey abroad.Here are some subjects discussed:Challenges of Working Abroad A Canadian's perspective on learning Chinese Pollution in TaiwanReverse culture shock is realBeing a musician in a foreign country Living with S.A.R.S. (10% death rate)Taiwan VS Covid-19Mask wearing situation

A lovely conversation with Belinda Roche. High school teacher, amazing salsa dancer and very very good friend.Dealing with IsolationSending Our Kids to School During CovidSalsa Dancing Post Covid-19Stigma of MasksSalsa dancing do's and don'ts

Initiated to the universe of dance at age 4, Sonia graduated in Classical Dance at the Grands Ballets Canadiens in 1989. She is also certified in superior studies in the management of cultural projects, with a specialization in inner city youth outreach and intervention, obtained in Lyon (France) in 1994.We discussed her Grands Ballets Canadiens Training,  What kind of person becomes a pro dancer, the challenges of teaching online, the Impact of Covid-19 on the dance world, the problems of dance competitions and much more.